Madrid
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3 Days in Madrid — Complete Itinerary

Daily Budget€50–250
Best SeasonApril–October
DestinationMadrid
Duration3 Days
Day 1
Morning

Royal Palace & Plaza de Oriente

Explore Spain's official residence with its 3,000+ rooms and the stunning gardens facing the Retiro Park. Admire the Baroque architecture and the 17th-century sculptures lining the plaza.

Budget tip: Arrive at 9:30am to beat crowds; free entry to gardens (palace interior €15, but skip to save money).
Afternoon

El Retiro Park & Crystal Palace

Rent a rowboat ($15/hr) on the lake in Retiro Park, then visit the 1887 Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal) for free. Walk past the José de San Martín statue to the Casón del Buen Retiro.

Budget tip: Buy boat rental at the park entrance (not tourist kiosks); free entry to Crystal Palace.
Evening

La Latina Tapas Crawl

Eat €2.50 tapas at La Bodega de San Miguel (Calle de la Cava Baja 18) and join locals at Taberna La Cebada (Calle de la Cebada 22) for jamón ibérico.

Budget tip: Order "pinchos" (skewers) before 1pm for 20% discount; skip drinks to stay under €10.
Day 2
Morning

Prado Museum

See Goya's "The Third of May 1808" and Velázquez's "Las Meninas" in the world's top art museum. The 18th-century building houses 20,000+ works across 1,000+ rooms.

Budget tip: Free entry Sundays 2–7pm; avoid weekends for smaller crowds.
Afternoon

Salamanca District Shopping

Browse designer boutiques on Preciados Street (e.g., Zara's flagship store at Calle Preciados 15). Visit the 19th-century Mercado de San Miguel for artisanal cheese tasting (€3.50 sample).

Budget tip: Shop at 10am to avoid crowds; free cheese samples at Mercado before 11am.
Evening

Flamenco at Corral de la Morería

Experience authentic flamenco at this 1956 venue (Calle de la Cava Baja 6). The 90-minute show includes guitar, dance, and singing with top-tier performers.

Budget tip: Book 3 months ahead for €60; skip the €15 menu to save €45 (dinner included in ticket).
Day 3
Morning

El Rastro Market

Hunt for vintage finds at Madrid's largest flea market (Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores) on Sunday mornings. Bargain for 1970s records (€5) or leather jackets (€12).

Budget tip: Arrive at 9am for best selection; avoid touristy stalls near Plaza Mayor.
Afternoon

Retiro Park & Fountain

See the 19th-century Fountain of Neptune (Fuente de Neptuno) in Retiro Park. Feed ducks at the lake (free) or rent a rowboat ($15/hr).

Budget tip: Free park entry; rowboats cheaper at the lake's eastern end (not near main entrance).
Evening

Chueca District Dining

Dine at Casa Lucas (Calle de la Cava Baja 31) for €8 paella al ajillo. Join locals at the bar for sangría (€4.50) while watching street performers.

Budget tip: Eat before 8pm for 25% off; order tapas platter (€12) instead of main course.

Local Insider Tip

Buy a 24-hour metro pass at any station (€5.50) instead of taxis; it covers all zones and saves €15+ daily.

About These Attractions

Verified descriptions from Wikipedia · Last checked 2026-04-12

Barrio de La Latina (Madrid)Neighbourhood in the district of Palacio in the centre of Madrid, Spain [Wikipedia]

La Latina is a historic neighborhood in the Centro district of downtown Madrid, Spain. La Latina occupies the place of the oldest area in Madrid, the Islamic citadel inside the city walls, with narrow streets and large squares. It is administratively locked almost entirely within

Museo del PradoNational art museum in Madrid, Spain [Wikipedia]

The Museo del Prado, officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It houses collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish royal collection, and

El RastroOpen-air flea market in Madrid, Spain [Wikipedia]

El Rastro de Madrid or simply el Rastro is the most popular open air flea market in Madrid (Spain). It is held every Sunday and public holiday during the year and is located along Plaza de Cascorro and Ribera de Curtidores, between Calle Embajadores and the Ronda de Toledo.

Parque del Buen Retiro, MadridUrban park in Madrid, Spain [Wikipedia]

The Retiro Park, also known as Buen Retiro Park or simply El Retiro, is one of the largest city parks in Madrid, Spain. The park belonged to the Spanish monarchy until 1868, when it became a public park following the Glorious Revolution. The park is located at the edge of the cit

Source: Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0

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